Gian van Veen and Ross Smith have been confirmed for their first World Series of Darts appearances in Australia and New Zealand this August, with the PDC finalising its invited line-up for the Down Under double-header.
The move gives the two European names a fresh global platform at the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland on August 14-15 and the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong on August 21-22.
Van Veen’s selection follows a rapid rise through the PDC ranks, while Smith’s call-up rewards a strong 2026 campaign that has kept him firmly in the television-event conversation. The pair join a PDC representative group that also includes Jonny Clayton, James Wade, Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price, Stephen Bunting and Damon Heta.
Fresh Names For A Key World Series Leg
The PDC’s Down Under swing has become a useful shop window for players beyond the usual World Series rotation, and this year’s line-up leans into that. Van Veen brings Dutch momentum and finalist pedigree, while Smith adds another proven major-stage scorer to events that also feature Oceanic qualifiers.
The decision is notable because Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen are absent from the confirmed PDC contingent, leaving room for a different headline group across Auckland and Wollongong.
The selection also connects with the wider World Series picture, including Stephen Bunting’s US Darts Masters schedule challenge as the PDC’s invited players move across a packed global calendar.
The PDC confirmed Van Veen and Smith’s World Series debuts as part of its August field announcement.
